Slowdive

Released in 2017, this self-titled effort marked Slowdive's first studio recording in 22 years following 1995's Pygmalion. While their earlier work defined the 90s shoegaze movement with a more 'underwater' and blurred aesthetic, this album utilizes modern production to achieve a 'crystalline' clarity. Recorded at The Courtyard in Oxfordshire, the album successfully bridges the gap between their melodic 'Souvlaki' era and the experimental minimalism of their later work. It was met with universal acclaim, proving that the band's influence had only grown during their hiatus. The record is notable for its use of more propulsive rhythms on tracks like 'Star Roving' while maintaining the band's signature ethereal atmosphere on 'Slomo' and the stark, piano-led closer 'Falling Ashes'. It stands as a rare example of a comeback album that matches or exceeds the legacy of a band's original run.